Let’s say you’re a new homeowner in Millcreek, and while you love all the different seasons, you know that winter is coming and your roof needs to be ready. You want a professional to take a close look at it so you decide to Google “free roofing estimates near me.” You get a whole list of options.
They may all be qualified, but you still want to know how to compare them and whether certain certifications can help you distinguish one contractor from another.
Luckily, there is such a certification, but very few carry it. It’s the GAF’s 3-Star President’s Club, and if you can find a contractor who carries it, you are often dealing with the best of the best.
Understanding GAF’s Certification Levels
GAF certifies roofing contractors through a tiered system, and Master Elite® status is the top tier available to individual contractors. It’s reserved for roughly the top 2% of roofing companies nationwide. The President’s Club is reserved for a smaller subset of Master Elite® contractors who consistently perform at the top of the program year after year.
The 3-Star designation within the President’s Club reflects a level of sustained performance that most certified contractors never reach. It is based on factors such as customer satisfaction and adherence to GAF’s installation standards. It has to be re-earned through consistent performance each year. If your contractor holds it today, it isn’t just a badge from years past.
For comparison, the basic GAF certification has a relatively modest application process. It means your contractor is certified, but it doesn’t mean they have met or maintained the same high standard as other contractors. Master Elite® status, let alone President’s Club recognition, requires passing regular reviews and maintaining consistently high performance metrics.
Why 3-Star President’s Club Status Is Rare in Utah
GAF’s contractor program becomes more selective as contractors move through its certification levels. Master Elite® status is already limited to a small percentage of roofing companies nationwide. The 3-Star President’s Club designation narrows that pool even further because it recognizes Master Elite® contractors that meet additional performance requirements and maintain that level of performance year after year.
The annual nature of the designation is part of what makes it difficult to maintain. A contractor cannot simply earn 3-Star recognition once and continue using it indefinitely. The contractor must continue meeting GAF’s requirements to receive the designation again, so the number of qualifying companies can change over time.
That helps explain why Utah has only one contractor with current 3-Star President’s Club recognition. The designation requires a contractor to first qualify for an already limited certification and then continue meeting the requirements for one of GAF’s highest levels of recognition.
How GAF Certification Affects Your Roofing Warranty
As a homeowner, the certification tier can affect the warranty coverage available for your roof. Contractors with higher GAF credentials may have access to enhanced warranty options, including workmanship coverage that extends well beyond the standard coverage available through lower certification levels.
A manufacturer’s material warranty can help when a shingle or other covered roofing product has a defect, but it generally does not address a problem that results from poor installation. Workmanship coverage is intended for qualifying installation problems, such as improper fastening, inadequate flashing, or other errors that can allow water to enter the roofing system.
Those problems may not be obvious when the crew leaves the property. A roof can look finished and perform normally for months or even years before an installation issue becomes apparent. Longer workmanship coverage covers errors tied to the original installation for longer.
Ask which GAF warranty tier applies to your specific project, how long the workmanship portion lasts, and what requirements or limitations come with that coverage. Two contractors may both be GAF-certified while offering significantly different levels of workmanship protection.
Questions To Ask Your Roofing Contractor
A few direct questions can clarify where a contractor actually stands before you commit to anything:
- What specific certification tier do you currently hold?
- Can I verify that through GAF’s contractor locator?
- How long have you maintained that certification level?
- Based on the certification level, which warranty tier does my specific project qualify for?
A contractor confident in their certification will often name the specific tier without hesitation and point you toward how to verify it. If a company says it is “GAF certified” but doesn’t specify which tier, that could mean a couple of different things. Ask directly whether a contractor holds Master Elite® status or the President’s Club recognition. The answer affects both the installation quality you can expect and the warranty coverage available for your specific project.
How to Find GAF’s 3-Star President’s Club Contractors Near You
When a contractor says they hold a GAF certification, you don’t have to take their word for it. GAF provides an online contractor locator that lets homeowners search for roofing companies and view the certifications they hold. It gives you a way to check a company’s current standing before you request an estimate or make a decision based on what appears on its website.
Start by entering your location into GAF’s contractor search and reviewing the companies that serve your area. When you select an individual contractor, look at the specific GAF credentials listed on the company’s profile.
President’s Club recognition is earned annually, so an old reference to the award on a contractor’s website does not necessarily establish that the company holds the designation today. Checking the contractor’s current GAF profile gives you a more reliable way to confirm its present status.
You can then use that information when comparing estimates. If a contractor advertises a particular GAF certification or warranty level, verify that the same credential appears in GAF’s directory and ask which warranty tier applies to your specific roofing project. That extra step can help you distinguish between contractors using similar certification language while offering different levels of warranty coverage.
A More Informed Way to Compare Roofing Contractors
The details behind roofing estimates can tell you quite a bit about what you’re actually getting, particularly when contractors use similar materials and make similar promises about their work.
A certification such as GAF’s 3-Star President’s Club gives you another detail to investigate when you’re narrowing down your options. Rather than relying on a contractor’s marketing claims, you can verify its current standing, ask what that status means for your project, and see exactly what warranty coverage comes with the work.
For Millcreek homeowners, that extra bit of research can make comparing roofing contractors in Utah much more straightforward. Take the time to verify the credentials behind the name, understand the warranty attached to your particular roof, and choose a contractor whose qualifications and coverage give you confidence in the investment you’re making.